The King and Mrs. Candle

"The King and Mrs. Candle"
Producers' Showcase episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 13
Directed byArthur Penn
Written bySumner Locke Elliott
Featured musicMoose Charlop
Original air date22 August 1955

The King and Mrs Candle is a 1955 American TV play. It was directed by Arthur Penn and written by Sumner Locke Elliott.[1] It was an original musical for TV, although it adapted a 1954 episode of Philco Television Playhouse written by Elliott.[2]

Premise

A European monarch, the King of Brandovia, comes to America when there is a revolution at home, and works as a dancing instructor. He falls in love with Mrs Candle, the widow who runs the dance school. His former fiance arrives and causes complications.

Cast

1954 Production

The script was originally written as an episode of The Philco Television Playhouse. It aired in 1954 and was directed by Arthur Penn and starred Cyril Ritchard and Joan Greenwood. Variety wrote "the kind of tongue-in-cheek comedy which tv viewers rarely get to enjoy, and which in fact is extremely difficult to put over, was managed with considerable gusto."[3]

Production

NBC enjoyed great success with a musical transmission of Peter Pan and decided to musicalise The King and Mrs Candle. Elliott did the adaptation, and Ritchard and Greenwood reprised their roles, as did director Arthur Penn. Music was by Moose Charlop (who had composed for Peter Pan) and lyrics were by Chuck Sweeney. NBC publicised the musical by promoting songs from the soundtrack recorded by Tony Martin ("Young Ideas") and Eydie Gorme.[4]

Songs

  • “Young Ideas,”
  • “Absolutely Mad,”
  • “We Must Fly,”
  • “You're Lucky for Me,”
  • “What Is the Secret of Your Success"

Reception

The New York Times called it "relaxing and enjoyable television".[5]

Variety wrote "For what it was the Philco show was a pleasant romp. As a musical comedy, King and Mrs. Candle was something less satisfying."[6]

References

  1. ^ WBZ-Radio to Preview High Lights From TV's 'King and Mrs. Candle' The Christian Science Monitor ; Boston, Mass. [Boston, Mass]17 Aug 1955: 7.
  2. ^ TV SHOW TO STAGE AN ORIGINAL PLAY: ' Producers' Showcase' to Do 'The King and Mrs. Candle,' a Satire With Music, Aug. 22 By VAL ADAMS. New York Times 8 June 1955: 59.
  3. ^ "Tele follow ups". Variety. 21 April 1954. p. 44.
  4. ^ "Beating that 'Satins and Spurs' Rap". Variety. 13 July 1955. p. 26.
  5. ^ TV: Hail, King Ritchard! By J. P. SHANLEY. New York Times 23 Aug 1955: 49.
  6. ^ "King and Mrs Candle". Variety. 24 August 1955. p. 30.